Discover the top holiday highlights in Douglas! Our guide features all the must-see events and activities for a festive season to remember. From Douglas locals to wandering adventurers, our guide showcases the best of the yuletide spirit.
This year, the charming Santa Parade will fill the streets with festive cheer, delighting families as floats and local groups spread holiday joy. Additionally, enjoy the unique experience of Free Horse-drawn Trolley Rides, offering a delightful way to see the town while soaking in the seasonal atmosphere. And the Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash is something you definitely don't want to miss, blending fitness with fun in support of the community. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Douglas
- Santa Parade (Belleville)
- Free Horse-drawn Trolley Rides (Belleville)
- Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash (Belleville)
- Downtown Cookie Stroll (Belleville)
- Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk (Belleville)
- Oktoberfest in Douglas
- Annual Douglas Tree Lighting Ceremony
See these and even more events listed below!
Douglas Holiday Light Displays
Annual Douglas Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Illuminating a majestic tree with dazzling lights.
Description:
Join us for the Annual Douglas Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Douglas, where we illuminate our majestic tree with dazzling lights. This beloved community tradition brings joy and cheer to all, celebrating the spirit of Christmas.
Where: Douglas | More Info: Annual Douglas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Douglas Holiday Markets and Shopping
Free Horse-drawn Trolley Rides
What to Expect:
Historic downtown tour on a horse-drawn trolley.
Description:
Take a leisurely ride through historic downtown Belleville on a 26-passenger horse-drawn trolley, passing through beautifully decorated Public Square and unique shopping and dining districts.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Free Horse-drawn Trolley Rides
Downtown Cookie Stroll
What to Expect:
Collecting over two dozen tasty Christmas cookies while exploring Downtown Belleville.
Description:
Stroll through Downtown Belleville and visit quaint shops and local restaurants while collecting over two dozen tasty Christmas cookies. Enjoy the German Christkindlmarkt, gingerbread displays, a horse-drawn trolley, and the Santa house.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Downtown Cookie Stroll
Douglas Other Holiday Activities
Santa Parade
What to Expect:
Largest holiday parade in Southern Illinois with festive floats and live performances.
Description:
Join the family-friendly Santa Parade in Downtown Belleville, featuring floats, marching bands, and dance groups, culminating in the official Lighting of the Fountain and Holiday Sing-a-Long.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Santa Parade
Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash
What to Expect:
Competitive kids' dash with Sam the Gingerbread Man.
Description:
The Belleville Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash is a festive holiday event featuring a 5K run/walk through downtown Belleville and a kids' dash where young runners compete against Sam the Gingerbread Man. Participants receive long sleeve tee shirts, finish line photos, and sweet treats along the course.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash
Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk
What to Expect:
Candlelit walk through historic homes.
Description:
A candlelit walk through the historic Abend and Garfield Streets neighborhood, showcasing the restored Gustav Koerner House and surrounding historic homes.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk
Oktoberfest in Douglas
What to Expect:
Traditional German entertainment and activities.
Description:
Douglas Oktoberfest is a vibrant German-inspired festival featuring live music, Wiener dog races, a petting zoo, and a variety of food and craft vendors.
Where: Douglas | More Info: Oktoberfest in Douglas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Grand Boulevard (1 miles)
- Near South Side (2 miles)
- Bridgeport (2 miles)
- Chicago (2 miles)
- New City (3 miles)
- Lower West Side (3 miles)
- Hyde Park (3 miles)
- Chicago Loop (3 miles)
- Woodlawn (4 miles)
- Englewood (4 miles)
- Brighton Park (4 miles)
- Near North Side (5 miles)
- West Englewood (5 miles)
- Gage Park (5 miles)
- South Lawndale (5 miles)
- West Town (5 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (5 miles)
- East Garfield Park (5 miles)
- South Shore (5 miles)
- North Lawndale (5 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (6 miles)
- Lincoln Park (6 miles)
- Chatham (6 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (7 miles)
- West Lawn (7 miles)
- Cicero (7 miles)
- South Chicago (7 miles)
- Logan Square (7 miles)
- Ashburn (8 miles)
- Avondale (9 miles)
- North Center (9 miles)
- Berwyn (9 miles)
- Uptown (9 miles)
- Oak Park (9 miles)
- Irving Park (10 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (10 miles)
- Morgan Park (10 miles)
- Lincoln Square (10 miles)
- Edgewater (11 miles)
- Albany Park (11 miles)
- Burbank (11 miles)
- Oak Lawn (11 miles)
- Portage Park (11 miles)
- Maywood (12 miles)
- West Ridge (12 miles)
- Rogers Park (12 miles)
- Blue Island (13 miles)
- Melrose Park (13 miles)
- Dolton (14 miles)
- Skokie (15 miles)
- Harvey (16 miles)
- Calumet City (16 miles)
- Niles (16 miles)
- East Chicago (16 miles)
- South Holland (16 miles)
- Morton Grove (17 miles)
- Park Ridge (17 miles)
- Elmhurst (17 miles)
- Wilmette (17 miles)
- Oak Forest (17 miles)
- Glenview (18 miles)
- Westmont (19 miles)
- Orland Park (19 miles)
- Lansing (19 miles)
- Darien (19 miles)
- Des Plaines (19 miles)
- Munster (19 miles)
- Villa Park (19 miles)
- Tinley Park (20 miles)
- Addison (20 miles)
- Lombard (20 miles)
- Downers Grove (20 miles)
- Highland (21 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (22 miles)
- Gary (22 miles)
- Chicago Heights (23 miles)
- Mount Prospect (23 miles)
- Northbrook (23 miles)
- Woodridge (23 miles)
- Homer Glen (23 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (23 miles)
- Lisle (24 miles)
- Glendale Heights (24 miles)
- Park Forest (24 miles)
- Bolingbrook (25 miles)
- Wheaton (25 miles)
- Bloomingdale (25 miles)
- Highland Park (26 miles)
- Roselle (26 miles)
- Schererville (26 miles)
- Wheeling (26 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (27 miles)
- Carol Stream (27 miles)
- Naperville (27 miles)
- Romeoville (28 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (28 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (28 miles)
- Hobart (28 miles)
- Lockport (28 miles)
- Merrillville (28 miles)
- New Lenox (29 miles)
- Palatine (29 miles)
- Portage (29 miles)
- Hanover Park (29 miles)
- West Chicago (30 miles)
- Bartlett (31 miles)
- Crest Hill (31 miles)
- Streamwood (32 miles)
- Crown Point (32 miles)
- Joliet (32 miles)
- Vernon Hills (32 miles)
- Plainfield (33 miles)
- Libertyville (35 miles)
- Geneva (36 miles)
- Mundelein (36 miles)
- Batavia (36 miles)
- North Chicago (36 miles)
- St. Charles (36 miles)
- South Elgin (36 miles)
- Aurora (37 miles)
- Elgin (37 miles)
- Valparaiso (38 miles)
- Michigan City (38 miles)
- Carpentersville (38 miles)
- Oswego (39 miles)
- Gurnee (40 miles)
- Wasco (41 miles)
- Grayslake (41 miles)
- Algonquin (42 miles)
- Zion (44 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (44 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (44 miles)